Arts and Culture Planci.park-rapids.mn.us/Arts/PR ArtsCulture Final Draft with 2019 edits'.pdf ·...

6/27/2017

Arts and Culture Plan City of Park Rapids

City of Park Rapids Arts and Culture Plan

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Arts and Culture Plan

Acknowledgments

Park Rapids’ Arts and Culture Plan is the result of nearly a year of research and public engagement with

many individuals and groups within the city. The Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission

would like to thank all of the individuals and organizations who have given their time to share their vision

for arts and culture in the City of Park Rapids and the Park Rapids Lakes Area. The Park Rapids Arts and

Culture Advisory Commission would also like to specifically thank the following organizations for their

financial contributions to the Plan development:

Partners and Sponsors


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Introduction

The purpose of creating a plan for arts and culture is to provide a roadmap to move the arts forward as a

key element in enhancing quality of life, promoting economic development, enhancing education, and

celebrating our community. Similar efforts have been undertaken in other Minnesota communities,

including the city of Grand Rapids. The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission and HRDC took these

examples into account, and adapted some similar themes to the community of Park Rapids.

Despite its small size, the Park Rapids community is home to numerous arts organizations, individual

artists, cultural participants and cultural tourists. Arts and culture are widely recognized for their role in

enhancing quality of life, generating employment and attracting investment to the community. 95% of

community survey respondents recognized the arts as “Important,” or “Very Important” to the overall

health of the community. The Park Rapids Arts and Culture Plan (Plan) celebrates the unique cultural

offerings of the City of Park Rapids and surrounding Lakes Area, and offers a series of recommendations

to guide future cultural development.

Planning Process

Over a nine month period the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission (sometimes

Commission), with staffing assistance from the Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC)

developed the Arts and Culture Plan. The Plan was developed by synthesizing research of secondary data,

best practices, and trends with the aspirations and ideas drawn from an extensive public engagement

campaign within the community.

Goals

To help advance the City’s ideas for arts and culture, this Plan outlines five goal areas which capture the

aspirations of the community for future cultural development. These goals are the intended primary

outcomes of this Plan.

1. Promote the creation and inclusion of art in public and private spaces.

2. Financially support the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Commission goals.

3. Recognize and support preservation of Park Rapids’ historic and cultural assets.

4. Make the City of Park Rapids a regional destination for unique arts and cultural

experiences.

5. Support the Arts and Culture Plan and respond to changing needs of the community.

Going forward, this Plan will serve as a roadmap for the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory

Commission. The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission also selected specific actions described later in

this document that describe how it intends to fulfill the goals and policies it has expressed. The realization

of goals and strategies will require aligned leadership between the City, County, partnering organizations,

private businesses, and citizens.


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Background

Arts and Culture as a Community Asset

An increasing body of research demonstrates how vibrant cultural resources are essential to community

livability. Livability consists of a variety of factors that contribute to the quality of life in a community. The

arts can enhance livability through the creation of vibrant community identities, celebrates unique assets,

and elevates quality of living. Infusing arts and culture into places and projects throughout a city will

elevate community pride, identity, and vibrancy.

A community’s arts and cultural resources and their activities and products are key resources and

incubators of creativity. Individuals working in creative industries create new cultural, intellectual, and

economic opportunities and innovations. Additionally jobs are generated for people who supply materials

and service needs, and present and consume creative work.

In addition to adding jobs and an economic boost, growing a substantial arts and culture community will

help retain and attract good talent. Communities with rich cultural resources draw and retain today’s

talented, high skilled workers.

More than ever before, communities compete with thousands of others for business, investment, visitors,

and talent. To be successful, the communities must set themselves apart from many other communities

offering similar activities and attractions. One way of accomplishing this goal is through a unique cultural


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identity. By encouraging and supporting art and cultural activity, a community can bring to life their

uniqueness and differentiate itself from neighboring communities.

Developing and growing cultural resources throughout a community is key to expanding economic

development opportunities through tourism. Visitors may come for a host of reasons, from conferences, to

outdoor recreation, but a wide array of arts and culture activities will give them more things to do and

more things to spend money on while in town.

Communities across the country are discovering that the arts can intersect with economic and community

development planning, offering solutions, improvements, and ways to discover and define place. This

concept is sometimes referred to as “Creative Placemaking.” While there are many examples of creative

placemaking and it’s defined in many ways, Creative placemaking can be defined as an approach to

improving quality of life and economic opportunity in communities through the strategic engagement of

arts and cultures in communities. It differs from traditional approaches to arts by focusing on building

diverse and sustainable partnerships, and

by strategically organizing arts and cultural

activities to address social and economic

problems and opportunities.

Placemaking goes far beyond “decorating”

spaces. Instead it is an essential

characteristic of a community that values its

quality of life and wishes to be seen by its

residents, neighbors and visitors as an

attractive and desirable place.

It has been well-documented that the arts

contribute not only to the quality of life of a

community, but to its economic health as

well. A variety of respected entities regularly

measure the economic impact of the arts—

locally, regionally and nationally and the

data about the region underscore the economic value of having a healthy arts sector. In 2015 the MN

Citizens for the Arts commissioned a study of the economic impact of the arts in MN. While this data is

collected at the regional level it’s clear that arts and cultural have an incredible impact on the economy of

Northcentral MN.

“CREATIVE PLACEMAKING IS AN

APPROACH TO IMPROVING QUALITY

OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC

OPPORTUNITY IN COMMUNITIES

THROUGH THE STRATEGIC

ENGAGEMENT OF ARTS AND

CULTURES IN COMMUNITIES.”


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Defining Art and Culture Defining art and culture is not easy. Some people think of activities such as painting, playing music,

writing, acting, or dancing. Others may think of venues like theatres, galleries, museums, or parks, while

others may think in terms of crafts, customs, or cultural celebrations. While there’s a variety of definitions

for the terms “arts” and “culture,” for the purposes of our work we adopt a broad, inclusive definition of

the arts and culture. It includes:

A range of arts, cultural and creative sectors: fine arts, as well as popular, traditional and commercial arts.

A range of disciplines: visual and performing artists, craftspeople, makers, creative workers, designers, educators, cultural practitioners, and consumers.

A range of cultural events: performances, exhibitions, festivals, and celebrations. “

It includes traditions, historical resources, community heritage and forms of expression valued, practiced, and preserved by a community.


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The Park Rapids Community:

The City of Park Rapids is located in southwestern Hubbard County, approximately 200 miles northwest

of St. Paul/Minneapolis and 135 miles west of Duluth. The primary transportation networks to the city are

via State Highways 71 and 34. Park Rapids is the county seat for Hubbard County. The city is governed as

a statutory city under a mayor/council form of government.

Park Rapids is regionally known as a quality community with a unique downtown and gateway to Itasca

State Park and the Mississippi River. The City’s population is currently estimated at 3,844, however the

City serves the economic, social, and cultural needs of a much larger population, extending into five

counties. The City experiences significant in-migration during the summer months, which draw

thousands of tourists and seasonal residents to the City every year. Moreover, many people who call Park

Rapids home do not live in the City limits.

The Process:

Work on this Plan started in summer of 2016, after the City of Park Rapids received a grant from the

Northwest Minnesota Foundation. The City hired the Headwaters Regional Development Commission

(HRDC) to help focus the emerging ideas and aspirations for the City’s arts and culture sectors.

HRDC led a public engagement process in which community members participated in a series of

community meetings; more than 100 individuals participated in a community survey, and numerous

taskforce meetings were held. The appendix of this Plan includes a community engagement summary.

This feedback from the community was then used to develop a set of recommendations to guide the City’s

efforts.

Existing Plans

One of the overarching goals of this process was to encourage consideration of arts and culture in all city

planning and decision-making. This means that the connections between the Arts and Culture Plan and

other Park Rapids plans need to be established. An early step in the arts and culture planning process was

an inventory of existing City plans, in particular the City’s Comprehensive Plan, prepared by RDG, which

was adopted in 2008. By integrating this Plan’s goals and strategies with current plans, we hope to foster

the integration of arts and culture into other community goals and chart a course for the community’s

creative future.

The City’s Comprehensive Plan (2008) does not directly identify arts and culture in either goals or

policies. However, many of the goals in the Plan would be advanced by arts and cultural development. The

following points identify areas where the Comprehensive Plan and the Arts and Culture Plan can support

one another and help users of this plan to understand how it fits within the larger vision of Park Rapids.

Goals from the Comprehensive Plan that are in alignment include the following:

“Maximize Park Rapids’ potential as a thriving center for business and recreation, while maintaining and enhancing its livability.”

“Small City with Many Amenities.”


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“Promote community unity and spirit and enhance character and identity.

“Encourage a variety of experiences and opportunities in terms of living, working, and social activities within the community.”

“Support quality lifelong learning opportunities for community residents of all ages.”

“Protect important historical, cultural, and natural resources as a means to maintain the area’s character and heritage.”

“Work with community and neighborhood leaders to gather support and cooperation for tourism, events and festivals by providing volunteer opportunities.”

Area specific plans like the Downtown Revitalization Plan, and City Parks Plan were also consulted. The

City’s Downtown Revitalization Plan (2008, pg. 43) identifies placemaking themes as key to the

downtown’s revitalization.

“Streets need to be more attractive for pedestrians and passersby. Trees lined streets, benches,

planters, ornamental lights, banners, graphics, historical markers, and art should be

programmed into the streetscape design.”

Finally, the Hubbard County Regional Economic Development Commission’s Armory Square Feasibility

Study, also prepared by RDG, outlines the reuse of the former National Guard armory as a community art

center and its potential $3,125,000 annual economic impact on the community. These and other city

plans and strategies have drawn attention to the need for more focused planning around the city’s role in

local cultural development.

Survey

During the initial stages of the planning process, a survey was distributed throughout the Park Rapids

community to help gain perspective into what events citizens of the region find important in regards to

arts and culture. Respondents were also asked to sort and describe strengths and weaknesses of the arts

and cultural community in Park Rapids. Through multiple choice and essay questions, respondents were

given an opportunity to share and describe their arts and culture opinions.

These surveys were disseminated electronically and handed out at various events throughout the

community. 102 respondents completed the survey in full, with an age range from under 18 years old to

65 and older. Complete survey results can be found in the appendix to this document.

Key Findings

Survey findings suggest that Park Rapids residents greatly value the contribution of arts and culture to the

community.

66% of respondents found that arts and cultural offerings were ‘Very Important’ to the overall health of the community. 29% of respondents found that arts and cultural offerings were ‘Important’ to the overall health of the community.

57% of respondents would attend more arts and culture events if the information were made more readily available to them.

51% of respondents considered themselves artists, or were engaged in an artistic discipline.

The three main deterrents to attending arts events were lack of time available, cost of events, and accessibility to populations of all ages and abilities.


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Music was the most popular theme with survey respondents. 90% of survey takers had attended a music event in Park Rapids in the last year. 2nd Street Stage concerts were the most attended events in the essay question responses.

Respondents still wanted to attend more music-related events, even though it was the most popularly attended activity. 77% wanted to see more music concerts and events

Respondents felt that the built environment would best be served by arts improvements. Buildings, parks and streets, respectively, rounded out the top three aspects of the community to benefit potentially from the public art.

Community Meetings

The Park Rapids Arts and Culture

Advisory Commission hosted two

community open houses in December of

2016. In attendance were community

members representing arts groups,

elected officials, downtown business

owners, resort owners, the Armory

redevelopment, the Native American

community, and general citizens who had

interest in the community’s future. At these meetings, community members identified existing assets,

discussed specific recommendations as the City worked to grow community arts and culture resources. A

list of these recommendations can be found in the appendix.

Arts and Culture Advisory Commission

Mission

The mission of the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission is to advocate for and to promote

the creation, understanding, appreciation, and awareness of the arts in the City of Park Rapids,

Minnesota.

Organizational Overview

The Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission is a formalized independent advisory board of

the Park Rapids City Council established on January 11, 2011 to serve in an advisory capacity to the City

Council on matters related to the development of arts and culture in the City. The Arts and Culture

Advisory Commission is comprised of citizens and artists. The Commission is appointed by the City

Council and consists of five members serving staggered 3-year terms. A nonvoting city staff member

provides staffing assistance to the Commission.

It is the responsibility of the Commission to:

1) Stimulate participation in and appreciation of the arts by area residents through engagement and interaction.


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2) Identify ways that the arts can enhance Park Rapid’s quality of life and contribute to economic and social growth. The Commission also serves as a liaison to local, regional, state and national arts organizations to foster support of the arts.

3) Seek financial support for the arts and act as an advocate for the arts before private and public agencies

4) From time to time, the Commission may establish subcommittees comprised of up to two Commission members and other interested community members. Subcommittees will work on details of initiatives in the Action Plan and report to the Commission.

In order to fulfill the responsibility successfully, the Commission will need to be able to adapt and fill

many vital roles on behalf of the arts community. These roles have been broken down into four categories:

convener, facilitator, liaison, and city council advisor.

Convener

The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission will be working with a diverse range of groups and individuals

throughout the Park Rapids arts community. Upon receiving recommendation power from the city

council, the Commission will play an important role in what is brought to the city, and vice versa.

Therefore, there will be an extremely important emphasis on making sure that the correct people are

meeting, and being brought together to accomplish the artistic goals in Park Rapids. There are many

different stakeholder groups, both public and private, that will be involved in the arts processes in the

community, and the Commission should play a role in connecting and fostering dialogue amongst them.

As a convener, the Commission will bring crucial players to the table for discussion, help to frame

conversations and discussions, and, if necessary, effect necessary or beneficial change.

There are a number of important responsibilities that fall on the Commission, and some of those involve

creating and sustaining public policy in the arts. It will be important to convene forums should policy

issues ever arise and need to be amended. It will be important to involve and be representative of the

stakeholders in the arts community, and having their trust is key. The Commission should make sure that

it is fully staffed, and staffed with members that are representative of the community. If set policies are

transparent and the community feels it is represented on the Commission, then the Commission is more

likely to have the support of, and more tenable relationships with stakeholder groups. For example, they

might help increase artists’ awareness of the quality standards and expectations, site placement, and the

conservation and maintenance policies for public works, all as a part of the broad goal of enhancing Park

Rapids’ reputation as an arts and culture destination.

Facilitator

It will be a role of the Commission to be a facilitator to the other arts organizations (PRLAAC, PRCDC,

etc.). These organizations will bring ideas and ventures to the table, and it will be the role of the

Commission to assist them in navigating the city’s policies in getting their visions accomplished. The

Commission can facilitate these groups and individuals in grant and application processes, showing a

willingness and knowledge in making things happen to further the artistic visions throughout the

community. There will be varying city and other resources that artists will access, and the Commission

can help to simplify and streamline the process.

With the adoption of the Arts Plan and incorporation into the City’s comprehensive plan, requests for City

resources for arts-related projects might increase, and it will be an important role of the Commission to

help develop policy and process these requests, in accordance with newly set policy, on behalf of the City.


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Liaison

In the Arts Plan, public art was uncovered as one of the most desirable outcomes, and the Commission’s

goal is to incorporate art into the built environment, and one way of accomplishing this is the use of the

arts in the design and construction of public facilities. The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission will

work closely with partners at the City to make sure that the arts are at least considered, if not incorporated

into the public works in the community. The Commission will work on enhancing their standing as a

governmental advisory commission, in order to effect change in the governmental departments, and

eventually bring about programmatic changes to the way that municipal policies and projects are

developed.

In order to accomplish these goals, it is important to have Commission members that are actively involved

in the community, perhaps even represented on other city commissions. If the Arts and Culture Advisory

Commission is made up of City members that are active in City leadership, there will be an increase in arts

awareness and an elevation of its standing. This also helps to ensure that decision makers are at the table

when the arts are being discussed, decreasing the chance that the arts remain an afterthought in citywide

capital improvement and planning projects. Currently, members of the Commission are active on other

strategic development organizations and the Commission should make sure to keep it that way. If the

Commission can increase the crossover between the developmental organizations and this Commission,

then the work to better the community will undoubtedly include an arts perspective.

City Council Advisor

One of the most important roles of this Commission is the advisory role that it will play to City Council,

City Staff, and particularly, the City Planner. It will not only be a conduit, through which the artistic

programming projects and ideas will flow to and from the Council, but will also act as a filter, in

conjunction with the City Planner and Planning Commission, in regards to the projects that do or do not

make it to the Council for consideration. With the development of public policy and standards for works

of art throughout the community, it will be the role of the Commission to interpret and apply these

standards accordingly. Before bringing anything to the Council, it must make sure that it passes aesthetic

and quality standards, and is a feasible project that the City could potentially afford and accomplish.


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Goals and Policies

The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission is dedicated to vibrant arts and culture resources as a means

to support and enhance the community. Its vision is to set Park Rapids apart as a destination to live, work,

and create. Its goals support this vision.

The objectives and goals in this section set forth the framework for realizing the aspirations of the

community. They are as follows:

Goal 1: Promote the creation and inclusion of art in public and private spaces.

Policies:

a. Encourage public art as a vital component of municipal and private development projects.

b. Utilize green spaces as sites for public art to connect arts with outdoor recreation.

c. Engage creative sector representation in City planning activities.

Goal 2: Financially support the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission goals.

Policies

a. Support the development of innovative funding techniques.

b. Establish strong partnerships with local, regional, and national organizations to provide

funding for key art-related project.

c. Include priority arts and cultural projects in future Capital Improvements Programs.

Goal 3: Protect and promote Park Rapids’ historic and cultural assets.

Policies

a. Establish an inventory of historic and cultural experiences and destinations throughout the

City.

b. Engage diverse communities in arts and culture planning, promotion and programming.

c. Interpret local history through public arts programs.

Goal 4: Make the City of Park Rapids a regional destination for unique arts and cultural

experiences

Policies

a. Maintain and expand quality cultural resources and activities for residents and visitors.

b. Work with community partners to enhance the value, impact and sustainability of regional

arts facilities and programs.

c. Encourage, support, and participate in arts and cultural events.


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Goal 5: Support the Arts and Culture Plan and respond to changing needs of the

community

Policies

a. Identify and recruit community members for the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission.

b. Support artists, nonprofits, and for-profit arts organizations.

c. Create alignment between city plans, citizen commissions, and staff to coordinate resources.


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Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission Action Plan

This action plan consists of a series of initiatives that the Commission feels will advance the goals of the

Arts and Culture plan. On an annual basis, the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission will

review the plan and make updates as needed.

Goal 1: Promote the creation and inclusion of art in public and private spaces.

Initiative Lead Resources required Partners Timeline

Provide clear policy for selection criteria, placement, and maintenance of public art.

Arts &

Culture

Advisory

Commission

None City of Park

Rapids Staff Ongoing

Plan for the next

phase of the Red

Bridge Park

Sculpture Walk.

Arts &

Culture

Advisory

Commission

TBD

City Staff,

Park Board,

Region 2 Arts

Council,

Individual

Artists, other

regional

partners

2019-2020

Complete a plan for repurposing Trestle Bridge into a piece of public art.

Arts & Culture Advisory Commission

$100,000-$250,000

City Staff, LCCMR, MN DNR, SWDC, Park Board, Region 2 Arts Council.

2019-2021

Recognize and capitalize on public art opportunities.


Minimal

City of Park Rapids Staff, Downtown Business Association, PRLAAC, Artists

Ongoing

Explore the

development of

creative space within

Arts & Culture Advisory Commission,

$250,000

PRLACC, MN DNR, HCREDC,

2019-2025


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Goal 2: Financially support the Park Rapids Arts and Cultural Commission goals.

the renovations of the

WPA Beach house.

Improve Pioneer

Park’s aesthetics with

updated design

elements.

Parks Board TBD DBA, Arts and Culture Commission

2019-2020

Work with the

PRCDC to ensure

that the Armory

space is diverse and

well utilized.

PRCDC TBD

Arts and Culture Commission, DBA, City staff, Region2 Arts.

Ongoing

Initiative Lead Resources

required

Partners Timeline

Utilize the Park

Rapids Community

Fund to support Arts

and Culture Advisory

Commission work.

Arts &

Culture

Advisory

Commission

None

City of Park

Rapids Staff,

Park Rapids

Community

Fund

Ongoing

Explore a program

where citizens can

financially support

the arts through

utility fee “round up”

program.

City of Park

Rapids Staff

Minimal

Arts & Culture

Advisory

Commission,

City Council,

2019-2020

Explore policy for use

of TIF funds for

placemaking in any

new TIF districts.

City of Park Rapids Staff

Minimal Arts & Culture Advisory Commission

By 2021


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Goal 3: Protect and promote Park Rapids historic and cultural assets.

Goal 4: Make the City of Park Rapids a destination for unique arts and cultural experiences.

Expand commission

role in seeking grant

funding and

coordination

prioritization of

projects.


Minimal

City Staff, HRDC, Region2 Arts Council

Ongoing

Initiative Lead Resources required Partners Timeline

Advocate for the

preservation and

repurposing of

historic buildings.


Minimal

Historical Society , Community Members

Ongoing

Celebrate Native

American Heritage

through Ojibwe

signage.

League of Women Voters

Minimal

Chamber, Downtown Business, White Earth Nation,

Ongoing

Recognize and

capitalize on

opportunities to

memorialize historic

events, people, and

activities.


Minimal

Historic Society, DBA, Chamber,

Ongoing


required

Partners Timeline

Support the creation

of annual festival

celebrating

TBD Minimal

Arts &

Culture

Advisory

Commission,

Annual


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Goal 5: Support the Arts and Culture Plan and responding to changing needs of the community

innovation, arts, and

creativity.

PRLAAC,

Chamber,

DBA,

PRCDC,

Park Rapids

Community

Members

Work closely with the

Park Rapids

Chamber of

Commerce, DBA,

Planning

Commission, and

other stakeholders,

in promoting unity in

design elements of

the community.

Arts &

Culture

Advisory

Commission

Minimal

PRLAAC,

Chamber,

DBA, City,

Ongoing

Co-promote Park

Rapids Lakes Area

Art information

between Chamber,

city, county, and

regional entities.

Chamber

Minimal

City, County,

PRLAAC,

Arts/Culture

Commission

, DBA

Ongoing

Implement

wayfinding signage

directing people to

destinations in the

community.

City of Park Rapids Staff, Arts & Culture Advisory Commission

Minimal DBA, MNDOT,

Ongoing


required

Partners Timeline

Employ arts and

culture leadership in

city planning and

design work.

Arts &

Culture

Advisory

Commission

Minimal

Planning

Commission, City

Council, other

City staff and

commissions

Ongoing


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Develop an award for

contributions to the

City’s arts and

cultural amenities.

Arts &

Culture

Advisory

Commission

Minimal

PRLAAC, City of

Park Rapids,

Annual

Hold a biennial

open house to get

feedback from the

public on community

needs.

Arts &

Culture

Advisory

Commission

Minimal

PRLAAC, City of

Park Rapids,

Annual

Highlight the

importance of the

arts in the

community through

multimedia

campaign.


$5,000

Lakeland TV,’ Region 2 Arts council, PRLACC, Local Radio, Chamber.

2019-2020


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Appendix: Public Engagement Results

Community Survey Results:


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Within the last 12 months in the Park Rapids area, I participated or attended:

2nd Street Stage Summer Concerts were most popular

Plays at the theater

Some respondents cited a lack of time to attend events due to their employment and obligations

In the Park Rapids area, I would like to participate or attend more:

Classes or arts education, whether they’re for children or adults trying to learn different aspects of the arts; if not for them personally to attend, so that there is arts offered in the future and for others to take interest and part in

What do you think are the strongest aspects of arts, culture, and creativity in Park Rapids?

Respondents found the variety of arts programs to be the greatest strength, with the different organizations working together to promote the arts in the community

The organizational skills and participation of the community as a whole were another strong aspect

They were impressed by the high level of artistic talent available throughout the relatively small community

Many answered that the various specific organizations are the strongest aspect (i.e.; 2nd Street Stage, Northern Lights Opera Company, Long Lake Theater, Nemeth Art Center and the Armory)

What are the weakest aspects of arts, culture, and creativity in Park Rapids?

Financial constraints were listed as the weakest aspect of the arts; whether it be the splintered groups not allowing for large donations to one, all the way to not being able to afford to attend or take time off to be a part of the different events and organizations


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Inadequate venues and infrastructure were a close second, many cited the incompletion of buildings, small size of venues and the lack of parking and easy access to many events to be their downside

Many cited the lack of arts education, specifically for the youth of the community as the weakest aspect

People are not aware of many of the different shows, classes and offerings

There were a few responses that cited a lack of quality and/or diversity in events

What would encourage you to participate more in the Arts?

If there was more time to donate to the arts

If the costs and prices were less, there would be more participation


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In what ways can the community of Park Rapids help you advance your artistic/cultural

practice?

Provide more educational opportunities to artists of all groups, ages and skill sets

Improve the artistic venues, whether making them larger, or keeping them open longer throughout the year so they are more accessible to those that want a space to go and practice and/or display their arts

Need more funding to promote the artists from Region 2, when there’s not enough funding it puts a stress on the consumers, and when they’re charged too much, they don’t come, thus the circle starts again

Improve the opportunity to participate in the artistic events by promoting them to everyone, and making them accessible to those with disabilities or illnesses, sometimes newcomers to the arts feel left out and that there is no room for them to participate

Keep concerts and events going year-round, so those that are busier in summer can take part


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What deters you from participating or attending arts and cultural opportunities?

Lack of time and availability was overwhelmingly the strongest answer

Costs and expected fundraising donations are too high, many cite financial burdens

A few people cited the difficulty of the aged population to get to and enjoy the events

What opportunities do you see for helping Park Rapids' arts and culture organizations

collaborate more?

Utilizing the Armory Square as a central focal point for the arts, with the Armory as a venue, and the Armory Board as a unifying fundraising and programming entity

Utilize the different groups and organizations in the community such as the churches, Lake Country Scenic Byway group and St. Joseph hospital to provide funding, spaces for activities and to provide different ideas like a sculpture garden or birding tours

Collaborative opportunities for individuals and groups to submit different ideas and offerings for community events, this could bring in a variety of people that might not have an interest previously, and could create a more concerted effort to plan different styles of events years in advance


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Network, advertise, and promote the cultural offerings throughout the region, getting the word out gets more people interested and involved

Promote arts education not only in the schools, but for the general public as well

Please share any suggestions for how youth could have improved access to the arts:

Educational activities, mostly tied to the schools, are the most common answer. They vary from creating workshops with local artists, or visits to museums set up through the school, all the way to having arts teachers available for longer hours to accommodate kids that want to learn the arts but have other obligations and courses. Respondents were concerned about the funding and attention given to the arts within schools, which hurts the opportunities for kids to participate.

New workshops, open houses, or creative festivals and events to spark the interest in young kids. Make sure they get the attention and credit for creating something unique, whether there’s a sponsored quarterly arts week throughout the year, open houses through the school or local organizations, workshops for students to get together and mentored by local artists, or even a “Makers Space” where the youth can gather in their own creative space to create things.

Community organizations can help pick up the mantle; local churches and the 4-H club are already engaging with students and teachers, but if they make a more concerted effort to reach a wider variety of students, participation will improve. The Northern Lights Opera Company and park projects are a good start by some of these organizations.

A larger variety and lower prices for events was a small concern from respondents.


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Please share any IDEAS you have for how arts and culture could support community

development in the FUTURE.

Need to secure funding to properly support and promote the arts in Park Rapids. Grants can help to fund events in the community, but this money needs to be invested in local arts projects and buildings, and when the arts scene is thriving, the money made can be used to promote Park Rapids as an arts destination, which will bring in more tourism money to continue the cycle.

Proper facilities are needed to support community development. Whether it’s the Armory or other spaces, a meeting or gathering space for the arts to take place, and for people to share ideas and create a community, this is something that’s needed. Utilize available spaces in town to display sculptures, flowers and art, whether it’s the banks, churches or local parks.

While many events are geared toward the summer tourism season, much of the local population feels left out of the arts process, more events are wanted in the fall, winter, and spring months. Not only do residents have more free time, it helps them create something that is truly theirs by allowing participation by residents who actually reside and are invested in the community.

The proliferation of a variety of new and different events will be a great thing for community development in the future. Whether it’s the Wild Rice festival, or bringing in more community theater plays or performing arts series to the cities, if Park Rapids continues to expand its offerings and attract talented individuals, the arts will have a larger draw.

Please share any IDEAS you have for how the arts could support Park Rapids' physical

environment in the FUTURE

A vast majority of respondents want some kind of public space, whether it be a sculpture garden, a revamped park to display different forms of art, or even using the available streets downtown and parks around the community to display art from local artists. There is a high demand for art walks, murals, and different forms of parks and recreation to revitalize the community’s aesthetic and sense of community.

An expansion of festivals and events can bring people into the different spaces. Use grants and other sources of funding to create art and cultural centers and museums. If the community can invest in more events and reasons for tourists to come, the economy will grow.

Venues are also a need, revitalizing older buildings in town like the Armory and old Pamida would do wonders to create a new artistic space. Beautify the old spaces and make them a feasible outlet for the arts.

Incorporate the natural environment, there are so many trees and beautiful natural spaces that people just need to be pointed in their direction. There’s a history of logging in the community, people live off of the land and what has been provided, and there’s an art in that.

Finally, arts education once again appears in the responses. Make them more affordable and accessible to everyone in the community that might have an interest in bettering themselves through art offerings, and the appreciation will grow, therefore the quality of the product will increase, and the people will come to Park Rapids as an arts destination, bringing in more funding.


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Community Meeting Notes: How is Creative Placemaking Happening in Park Rapids?

We are already doing it!

Main Street

o Commitment to aesthetics during redevelopment

Inlays, etc.

New Ojibwe signage

2nd Street Stage

Wild Rice Festival

Trails

MN Bike opener

Outdoor Classroom

Legends and logging

Connection to Itasca, lakes, natural environment

Great American Story

Strengths

Community Pride

Hospitality

Volunteerism!

Areas to work on in the future

We may need to do a better job telling our story

o Tell visitors, short summary of all creative assets in PR

o Put it at resorts, Itasca, restaurants, etc.

o Interactive online/app cultural assets map downtown


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Improving Inclusiveness (Not just marginalized populations, but those who don’t participate for

other reasons.)

More youth programs (demand driven rather than supply driven)

Connecting assets (corridors)

Places of engagement

Heartland Wellness Center

Wayfinding,

Ground all community development in this principle

Involve “creatives” in functional development!!! (The Pioneer Park Bathroom Example)

o Remove the distinction between function and artistic(Overarching theme of the meetings)

o Build social and political capital to truly value the contribution of the arts.

What ideas do you have for the future, in regards to Arts and Culture in the Park Rapids

Community?

Policy/Programs

Inventory current assets (physical) Target by zoning

Common signage and relaxed regulation for signage

o Wayfinding

Zoning standard and procedural process for the funding and placement of Art in Public Spaces

Arts and Culture district in the City limits to include preservation of historical landmarks and

buildings

Policy for murals

Check the box planning review for placement of art in new developments (similar to landscape

review)

Build a revenue source for arts, culture

o Building permit applications

o 1% for the arts

o Bed tax


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o Opt in on city utility bills

o Dedicate a % of the City’s lading tax to the arts

Built environment

Appropriate venues for arts activities

Splash pad with a local cultural aesthetic

Makers Space

Artist Live/work space

Public art displays outside and inside private businesses

Sculpture walk

Gallery/Art shop/ Resource Center

Outdoor performance space (Amphitheater, Band Shell)

Native Art Center

Create connection in town between places

More public art (in unexpected places)

Poetry walk

Murals

Improved signage from downtown to Nemeth, library, historical society

Poster of events on board at Heartland Trail

Public Art that tells “Our story”

Live performance in the park

Native language signs

Historic portrayals

Interactive storyboards invitation for the public to add their story to it (Large chalkboard)

Themes for art


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o Loons, logging, water, red bridge

Combined farmers market

Events

Gala of the arts- celebrate and recognize local efforts

Jazz club /night

Display art of nontraditional artists

o DAC

o Inmates

o Students

Folk School

Met Opera simulcast

Music Festivals

Street Performing

Food Vendors

Open Mic night

Movie/Play night in the park

Lectures and storytelling

Commission local writers, film makers to do stories, films to promote cultural assets

Film Festival

Powwows

“Sing Fest” on the 4th between the parade and fireworks

Promote Armory Square as the Center of Community

More local musicians on second street stage

Special event night

Family based activities


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Relationship/ Culture building

Increased attendance of city elected officials and staff in arts cultural events (one way or another)

to complete the circuit of collaborative efforts

More and Better representation on planning, parks, and other commissions

Cooperation between native community and PR

Outreach to greater PR area

Positive Media attention for the arts

Intentional inclusion of diverse communities (Age, gender, race, etc.)

Encourage Collaboration between “packaged” events within festivals year round

Increase access and inclusivity

o ADA

o Transportation

o Initiation to other populations

o Cost

o Availability

Promote/understand other cultures through music and art

Promote a culture where creative thinking is the new norm

Native owned businesses and native run organizations sought, encouraged, welcome

Build stronger relationships with resorts

Align existing resources w/ arts and culture (Bathroom)

Embrace tech. Facebook, Advertising, Coupons, maps, apps

Get artists involved in promotion

Coordination!

Arts and Culture Planci.park-rapids.mn.us/Arts/PR ArtsCulture Final Draft with 2019 edits'.pdf ·...

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